Sutton United’s latest acquisition Steven Old has bolstered the defence with an experience borne out of facing the might of Brazil.

The 26-year-old New Zealand international made his United debut in the 1-0 win over Chelmsford City on Tuesday night – the club’s first win of the Blue Square South season.

Harry Beautyman’s deflected strike in the first half was enough to give Old a winning start and give United their first three points in 10 attempts.

Old said: “It’s my first game for a while so I was pleased to get 90 minutes. And to get that first win was essential, the boys really dug in deep. It was not pretty at times but we cannot complain.”

Old, who has made 17 appearances for the Kiwis, including a pre-World Cup friendly against Brazil in 2006 against Ronaldinho and Kaka, joined from Basingstoke on the recommendation of former AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown.

Old said: “When you play against the best in the world, like that match against Brazil in front of 40,000 people, and when you play here [at Sutton] you honestly take the games in exactly the same way.

“Some players might lack the technique but their drive more than makes up for that.

“I know it is different playing on a wet and windy Tuesday night in Sutton than playing in Geneva against Brazil but the preparation is the same.”

United boss Paul Doswell said: “Beating Chelmsford is a massive monkey off our backs. It was scrappy in the second half, but I did not care how we won, we just needed to win.”